County Leadership Election

Congratulations! The County Chapter leadership vote is complete. According to SEIU Local 221 Constitution and Bylaws, Chapters, like the County Chapter, are responsible for activities representing their members within their jurisdiction. Chapters work with the Executive Board to address the specific needs of the group.

Voting in union elections and selecting member leaders builds SEIU Local 221 into a more democratic union.

Your newly elected County leaders include

Sara Nielsen - President
Casey Shirk - Vice President
Eric McGill - Secretary
Jesse Gonzalez - Treasurer
Luis Arellano - AE Representative
Brian Lafferty - CL Representative
Joseph Moore - FS Representative
Heather Basten - HS Representative
Antoinette Mccray - MM Representative
Stephanie Kern - PR Representative
Samuel Jacob - PS Representative
Mouriel Romero - RN Representative
Robert Prokesch - SS Representative
Vanessa Raygoza - SW Representative

Candidates submitted the following information. Download a PDF with candidate information with this link.

Voting runs through Oct. 2. The next contract negotiations is less than 15 months away! Follow this link for County Chapter Leadership 🗳️ voting locations.

Candidates

Sara Nielsen
Chapter President candidate; Bargaining Unit: PR; Classification: Librarian II; Worksite: La Mesa Library
Why do you want to serve? I have been an SEIU221 member since joining the County 14 years ago, and a Steward since 2020. I am a proud union member and have spend time working in SEIU’s Advocacy Center as a Power Builder, where I was able to meet, support and represent workers from all over the County. This big picture introduction to the County has left me interested and excited to possibly expand my role beyond just the library and to the county at large in a more visible way. SEIU 221 is a member-lead organization, and I want to help strengthen member unity and help lead the County Chapter in ending Tier D!
Casey Shirk
Position: Vice President (Officer) candidate; Bargaining Unit: SW; Classification: HSS; Worksite: SRLWC-NC
Why do you want to serve? My ultimate goal is to see a fully member-lead union. In my time in organizing in our union, I have learned that it is membership who must take on the responsibility of creating a better work environment for everyone in addition to taking the responsibility of leading our union to success. There are no heroes, there is only us and what we are willing to do for ourselves and for each other. In the VP position, I want to lead beside you, arm in arm and lockstep.
Eric McGill
Position: Secretary (Officer) candidate; Bargaining Unit: MM; Classification: Senior Office Assistant; Worksite: Document Processing Center (Self-Sufficiency Services)
Why do you want to serve? I am the incumbent secretary for the County Chapter, and served on the contract bargaining team in 2025. I am committed to fighting for our rights on the job, and the best way to do that is by building a strong union.
Jesse Gonzalez
Position: Treasurer (Officer) candidate; Bargaining Unit: HS; Classification: MHA; Worksite: SDCPH
Why do you want to serve? I am running for Chapter Treasurer because I believe in being a strong advocate for working class people. It is my passion to support our members and our community, by strengthen our collective power, investing in our workforce, and protecting workers rights for everyone. Bringing transparency, accountability, and integrity to this position is my promise, I will always put our community and our workers first.
Luis Arellano
Position: Council Representative for my Bargaining Unit candidate; Bargaining Unit: AE; Classification: Appraiser; Worksite: Assessor Kearny Mesa
Why do you want to serve? I want to serve all members because we deserve strong representation that fights for fair wages and better working conditions. As an Appraiser in the Assessor’s Office, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges of high workloads, retention issues, and the need for our specialized work to be valued. I’ve been a steward/active member and stepped up because I believe every member should feel heard and supported. By serving on the Chapter Leadership, I will push for strong contracts that keep experienced staff, and make sure all County workers have a seat at the table.
Brian Lafferty
Position: Council Representative for my Bargaining Unit candidate; Bargaining Unit: CL; Classification: Legal Support Assistant II; Worksite: Medical Examiner
Why do you want to serve? Clerical workers are the backbone of every single department. No department can function without us. I’m running for the CL seat to be a strong advocate for the thousands of workers in the CL bargaining unit as we embark on getting rid of Tier D and getting the best contract in 2028.
Joseph Moore
Position: Council Representative for my Bargaining Unit candidate; Bargaining Unit: FS; Classification: FSW; Worksite: Edgemoor
Why do you want to serve? To represent my bargaining unit
Heather Basten
Position: Council Representative for my Bargaining Unit candidate; Bargaining Unit: HS; Classification: Peer Support Specialist; Worksite: Intensive Case Management (East)
Why do you want to serve? As a site steward and peer support specialist for County behavioral health services,my daily work is rooted in empathy, direct advocacy, and ensuring that every individual in our community feels seen, heard, and supported. I understand firsthand both the strengths that is found in coming together and standing together to advocate for the interests of us all. I am running to serve on the County Chapter as Council Representative for my Bargaining Unit because I believe our union is strongest when it actively amplifies the diverse, frontline voices of its workers. No one knows what this work entails better than all of us who do this day in and day out. Serving in this role allows me to bridge communication, advocate for equitable working conditions, and ensure our collective voice shapes the policies that impact our daily jobs and the communities we serve. I am committed to listening to your concerns, standing up for our workforce, and working collaboratively to foster an inclusive, supportive, and effective union chapter.
Sherry Flores
Position: Council Representative for my Bargaining Unit candidate; Bargaining Unit: MM; Classification: Peer Support Specialist; Worksite: Intensive Case Management (East)
Why do you want to serve? After starting work here at the County, I started becoming involved in our union, first as a Steward (which I still am today) and second as a representative on the Bargaining Committee for the Contract that was signed in 2025. It has become paramount that someone must stand up for the Clerical area of County Employees. We are called the backbone of the County but are not always treated well by the County. I am the only Clerical Steward at the North Coastal office, and I help as many people as possible who come to me. I also help the HSS workers who come to me and refer them to other HSS Stewards. I would like to see our Union grow and begin to strengthen to get ready for the new contract in 2028.
Antoinette Mccray
Position: Council Representative for my Bargaining Unit candidate; Bargaining Unit: MM; Classification: Residential Care Worker Supervisor; Worksite: Polinsky Children’s Center
Why do you want to serve? For the past 16 years, I have served our county and worked alongside the people who keep it moving. Throughout that time, I have been committed to giving a voice to those who may have felt unheard or fearful of expressing their concerns. I will continue to stand with employees and support their voices with **bravery, integrity, and wisdom**. Leadership means more than holding a position—it means listening, speaking up when necessary, and taking meaningful action. It is time to do more to support the **working-class voice**. We deserve to be heard. Our concerns matter. Our experiences matter. **We matter. Our voices matter. And together, we can build stronger, more courageous leadership for all county employees.**
Stephanie Kern
Position: Council Representative for my Bargaining Unit candidate; Bargaining Unit: PR; Classification: Librarian I; Worksite: San Diego County Library HQ at the County Operations Center
Why do you want to serve? Hello from your local librarian! I would be honored to represent you as the Council Representative for the PR Bargaining Unit. I bring a kind, listening ear, strong connections with colleagues, and great pattern recognition (that’s the library worker speaking) to the table in service of representing your interests and ideas as County workers. I look forward to hearing the concerns of you, the worker, “the [savior] of society” (Eugene V. Debs) and fomenting change in our workplace. In solidarity, Stephanie
Samuel Jacob
Position: Council Representative for my Bargaining Unit candidate; Bargaining Unit: PS; Classification: PMT 1; Worksite: County of San Diego IPC
Why do you want to serve? I’m a native San Diegan and have worked in public service for years. I want to advocate for my colleagues and fellow county employees. I believe workplaces work better when all workers have a voice. I look forward to meeting everyone I might have the privilege of representing and fighting for a better work environment for all of us.
Mouriel Romero
Position: Council Representative for my Bargaining Unit, Bargaining Unit: RN; Classification: Sheriff's Detention Nurse; Worksite: San Diego Central Jail
Why do you want to serve? I want to serve as a union representative for my bargaining unit so I can advocate for the nurses I work alongside and bring forward the concerns that directly affect us. I believe our voices deserve to be heard when it comes to our working conditions, patient care, staffing, safety, and overall well-being. I want to help create meaningful change, strengthen our collective voice, and work toward a healthier, safer, and more supportive environment for nurses and our patients
Robert Prokesch
Position: Council Representative for my Bargaining Unit candidate; Bargaining Unit: SS; Classification: PSS; Worksite: North Inland CFWB - Office of Child Safety
Why do you want to serve? I would welcome the opportunity to continue serving as your SS unit representative. I believe I have helped fill the gap that had been underrepresented for supervisors. Since becoming the SS representative for the last 2 elections, I feel that I have helped ‘connect’ the understanding that PSS & PSWs are all under the same umbrella and more importantly on the same team. It has also given me the opportunity to sit on the last two contract negotiations promoting and advocating for supervisors with a unique lens while also advocating and unifying all those under the entire Social Work Career path.
Vanessa Raygoza
Position: Council Representative for my Bargaining Unit candidate; Bargaining Unit: SW; Classification: HSS; Worksite: MV
Why do you want to serve? I want to serve because I truly care about our members and making sure their voices are heard. Being a steward has shown me how important it is to have people who are willing to speak up, ask questions, and advocate for members, especially when something doesn’t feel right or fair.

Your newly elected County leaders include

Sara Nielsen

Chapter President candidate; Bargaining Unit: PR; Classification: Librarian II; Worksite: La Mesa Library

Casey Shirk

Position: Vice President (Officer) candidate; Bargaining Unit: SW; Classification: HSS; Worksite: SRLWC-NC

Eric McGill

Position: Secretary (Officer) candidate; Bargaining Unit: MM; Classification: Senior Office Assistant; Worksite: Document Processing Center (Self-Sufficiency Services)

Jesse Gonzalez

Position: Treasurer (Officer) candidate; Bargaining Unit: HS; Classification: MHA; Worksite: SDCPH

Luis Arellano

Position: Council Representative for my Bargaining Unit candidate; Bargaining Unit: AE; Classification: Appraiser; Worksite: Assessor Kearny Mesa

Brian Lafferty

Position: Council Representative for my Bargaining Unit candidate; Bargaining Unit: CL; Classification: Legal Support Assistant II; Worksite: Medical Examiner

Joseph Moore

Position: Council Representative for my Bargaining Unit candidate; Bargaining Unit: FS; Classification: FSW; Worksite: Edgemoor

Heather Basten

Position: Council Representative for my Bargaining Unit candidate; Bargaining Unit: HS; Classification: Peer Support Specialist; Worksite: Intensive Case Management (East)

Sherry Flores

Position: Council Representative for my Bargaining Unit candidate; Bargaining Unit: MM; Classification: Peer Support Specialist; Worksite: Intensive Case Management (East)

Antoinette Mccray

Position: Council Representative for my Bargaining Unit candidate; Bargaining Unit: MM; Classification: Residential Care Worker Supervisor; Worksite: Polinsky Children’s Center

Stephanie Kern

Position: Council Representative for my Bargaining Unit candidate; Bargaining Unit: PR; Classification: Librarian I; Worksite: San Diego County Library HQ at the County Operations Center

Samuel Jacob

Position: Council Representative for my Bargaining Unit candidate; Bargaining Unit: PS; Classification: PMT 1; Worksite: County of San Diego IPC

Mouriel Romero

Position: Council Representative for my Bargaining Unit, Bargaining Unit: RN; Classification: Sheriff's Detention Nurse; Worksite: San Diego Central Jail

Robert Prokesch

Position: Council Representative for my Bargaining Unit candidate; Bargaining Unit: SS; Classification: PSS; Worksite: North Inland CFWB - Office of Child Safety

Vanessa Raygoza

Position: Council Representative for my Bargaining Unit candidate; Bargaining Unit: SW; Classification: HSS; Worksite: MV